Staff reports
Clearlake >> Police nabbed a felon in a stolen vehicle after a pursuit through city streets Friday night.
What was supposed to be a traffic stop for a minor vehicle violation turned into a high-speed chase when the driver of a gold Chevrolet Impala failed to pull over.
Clearlake Police Department (CPD) officer Matthew Huot noticed the vehicle driven by Kashi Arbeeny just after 9 p.m. traveling southbound on Old Highway 53, Sgt. Travis Lenz reported in a media statement issued early Tuesday morning. The Impala’s passenger side rear tail light was not illuminated, a violation of the California Vehicle Code.
According to the CPD report, the 20-year-old Clearlake resident briefly came to a stop off the south roadway edge of Lakeshore Drive, then sped up back onto the roadway and took off heading eastbound.
Huot chased after Arbeeny for about 3.5 miles, before he again stopped at the intersection Boyles and 37th avenues. At that time, additional CPD officers as well as deputies from the sheriff’s office arrived to assist in conducting a high-risk traffic stop on the vehicle.
Police removed Arbeeny from the car and placed him under arrest, Lenz reported.
Nice resident Don Presler, 33, was the only other person in the vehicle and was detained for questioning.
A records check of the Impala through the Department of Motor Vehicles revealed it was reported stolen in Middletown on Thursday to the California Highway Patrol. The victim of the vehicle theft was contacted, responded to the scene, and took possession of stolen car, Lenz stated.
A records check of Presler revealed he had an outstanding warrant out of Mendocino County for traffic violations.
Investigators determined based on statements that Arbeeny stole the vehicle from Middletown the day prior.
Arbeeny was later booked into the Lake County Hill Road Facility facing charges of evading a peace officer in a motor vehicle while driving in wanton and willful disregard for public safety, evading a peace officer in a motor vehicle while traveling in the opposing lane of traffic, possession of a controlled substance, vehicle theft and driving on a suspended license.
Presler, who was determined not to have been involved in the vehicle theft, was booked into the Lake County jail on his outstanding arrest warrant.
Anyone with information in regard to this investigation is asked to contact Huot at the CPD at (707) 994-8251 extension 501.
